Monday, September 5, 2011

Goodbye to Summer

It's finally nice and a little cool here in the Chicago area this morning, and I'm reminded of the old days when school started the day after Labor Day and the mornings were always just a little chilly. Now it seems like most schools begin the middle of August. Labor Day in the U.S. typically is the "unofficial" end of summer. Vacations end, pools close and, oh yes, as my mother used to tell me, it's time to put away your white shoes and purse and bring out the cardigans. If it's September, it's always the beginning of  fall for me. Not everyone loves it like I do though. As school starts up again, my kids always used to say: Fun stops. Homework regimens kick in, the days get shorter and the weather cooler and mom gets a little more intense and strict about bedtime and video games. The fun stopped for THEM but it started for me when they were back in school and I had my days free again, LOL.


So I'm officially declaring that summer is over around here even though I'm sure we'll probably still get some 90-degree days. It wasn't the best summer I've ever had, so I can't say I'm sorry to see it go. In fact, I'd like to say good riddance to the heat, mosquitoes and cicadas. I never seem to get much quilting done during the summer and being sick and getting so behind with stuff only made me more stressed, I think. Who needs a stressful summer??

It wasn't a very exciting summer, either. No time for a real vacation with my husband's work schedule. Mostly I spent time with my kids, trying to rest and recover a little, catch up with work and neglected household things, running around at half-speed. Get my daughter ready for college. Make that quilt. A gazillion trips to Target. Then there was the knee thing that really tripped me up and made me slow down and take rests right after my other enforced rest from surgery. Ugh. Too much necessary resting. But I read at least 8-10 books and got much better at phone Scrabble. I enjoyed hanging out at the pool with my sisters and my daughter.



Aren't they cute? They're my older sisters but they're having so much fun playing in the water like little kids. Water Babies for sure. This is what retirement does to you, I guess. Thank goodness I was the one with the camera . . . there are NO pictures of me in a bathing suit, thank you. And if there were, would I be stupid enough to put them on a blog??


Once my daughter goes away to school this week, maybe things will settle down and I'll have more time to myself and perhaps get in the mood to do more quilting, planning. This fall I don't have a book to finish or any other deadlines so maybe I'll be able to make some things for myself under a little less pressure. I really need to make a nice throw for our sofa. Some pillows too. Or, make something out of these maple leaf blocks from last year's block swap and finish the table runner I started a long time ago. I can't wait for fall!


So, Goodbye summer - Hello quilting!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the weather change here in central IL. It's nice and breezy, cool in the 60's and already 11:00 a.m. I'm ready for fall and the heat wave of summer to be over for the season. The sky is so bllue, the wind rustles the leaves, it's awesome.

Anonymous said...

Theres nothing better than sweater weather here in IL. Fall is my favorite time of year, time to get that pumpkin fabric out!!!
Karen in IL.

marian said...

Kathy, as you're approaching Fall we're approaching Spring downunder and just like magic my garden is gradually awakening from its winter slumber. I love how my freesias sweet perfume greets me everytime i walk thru the front door & how the Japanese maple leaves resemble tiny fingers as spring to life, again..it's a wondrous time of the year. Spring & Autumn are definitely my favourite seasons..i don't look forward to the extreme temps of Summer & Winter.

Diane said...

Here's to a lovely fall for you. I think you deserve it. I always think of Labor Day as the 'last day to wear white' even though that fashion rule has fallen by the wayside, it's ingrained in me!
I used to put a big smiley face on the calender date of the first day of school-much to my kids horror! Nothing like a quiet house to myself after a summer of non-stop kids.

Beth said...

It felt so good to go outside and not melt! I am hoping to ghet myself organized now that the DD has moved out and I will have lots of sewing time.

Joanne said...

I love fall, we here in Maine appreciate every turning leaf. It some how feels like a new beginning, just like Spring.

Grandma Rita said...

Here in northern Wisconsin we saw just a tease of color in the maple trees this weekend. The clouds are changing, the light is different, the temps are cooler, all indicators that my favorite season is ready to unfold. Autumn is such a delight to the senses! Enjoy!

MulticoloredPieces said...

Greetings from Tunisia! Happened upon your blog while surfing the net and trying to keep cool--hoping fall will be here soon. Your quilts are lovely, and I like the old quilts that you show as well. Thanks for sharing.
best, nadia

Anonymous said...

Thats a lovely maple leaf and pumpkin block !

Anonymous said...

I'm with you - love Autumn and not a big fan of Summer which for us is just around the corner. Spring has arrived down under and it's glorious! Enjoy your Autumn days and I hope inspiration strikes soon!!

Donna Keating said...

Autumn is my favorite time of year, especially around Halloween. It brings back fond memories of helping my grandparents with the trick or treaters, handing out really good candy to all who came.

Merilyn said...

Like you I'm glad for the 1st Sept change of season (first day of Spring yeah)!! We've had a cold winter here with lots of rain, it's just been blah blah blah weather LOL!!
I think my favourite seasons are Spring and Autumn, very civilised temps for sewing and doing chores. I hope you get your sewing mojo back in full swing now that things may be quieter for you and that you are further on in your recovery!!!!

Becky said...

I just wanted to say Im a new follower.Im a wantobe quilter.I love tiny quilts especially the doll ones.

Truffle queen said...

I know just what you mean about "it's Fall now"!! Hope you're finally feeling stronger and ready to get back to full throttle! I went to the Expo in Madison yesterday and now my brain is in "overload"! Why did I buy all those patterns and kits - when I have over 150 UFO's already?! Oh well - it's a quilter's illness!!

Taryn said...

The pool looks so refreshing! Summer can be a drag when the heat is oppressive as it was this year. A few sniffs of fresh, cool air will likely perk you back up and send you back to quilting. When my daughter left for college I suffered a bit from an unidentifiable melancholy.

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